May Favorite Finds

This past monday I celebrated my 31st birthday.  For many reasons (ex. 31 is a non-milestone year and the fact that my birthday fell on a Monday) this year should have been a quieter celebration.  However, to my surprise and delight it was anything but that!  

The morning started off with my favorite tradition of birthday breakfast in bed (see this post), followed by a great day at the office and then coming home to find that my husband had organized a surprise birthday party at our house with all of my friends in on the surprise!  If that wasn't enough my husband even made a recipe from Redefining Domestics for the party! I was completely blown away by the entire evening and touched that everyone would make the effort to come and help me celebrate my not so significant birthday on a school night.  This birthday really couldn't have been any more perfect and I am still smiling as I sit here typing this recap to you all.

Now, onto my recap of this month's favorite finds.  I am absolutely loving this new monthly series because it's providing me with the perfect vehicle for bringing you all my list of latest favorite things.  This month's list is a collection of finds that are great for enjoying during any time of year, but especially during the warmer months.

Spindrift Seltzer

Flavored carbonated water is a hot trend at the moment.  La Croix and Vintage Seltzer have been two personal favorites, until recently when I discovered Spindrift Seltzer.  Why is Spindrift so great?  Well, in addition to have a lovely fizz and great flavor variety, the biggest reason for it's jump to the top of my seltzer list is the fact that it is made with real juice and not synthetic substitutes.  Nothing beats the taste of real fruit flavor in my opinion and for an additional 10-15 calories per can and 0-2grams of sugar, it is totally worth it! My favorite flavors at the moment include: Lemon, Raspberry-Lime and Grapefruit.  I really cannot get enough of these delicious and refreshing flavored seltzers and definitely recommend trying Spindrift ASAP if you haven't already.  Here is a link to Spindrift's Product Locator. 

Mini Citrus Juicer

I have my fair share of citrus juicing tools, however over this past weekend I came across this mini citrus juicer and had to have it!  Why? Not only is it small enough to easily fit in a kitchen drawer, it can juice and/or store both lemons and limes, is dishwasher safe and cost less than $10!  Citrus juicing made even easier and most definitely a new favorite tool in my kitchen.

Microplane Garlic Mincer

We all know my love of kitchen tools and especially my obsession with all things Microplane (see here, here and here).  While perusing my favorite kitchen stores a few weeks ago, I came across the latest in microplane technology...the Microplane Garlic Mincer!  This tool minces garlic with ease, comes in a small compact case for easy storage and is completely dishwasher safe!  Microplane's new garlic mincer is an item that I would highly recommend adding to your kitchen tool collection. 

Martha Stewart's Cowboy Coconut Bar Recipe 

Lately I have been turning to baking as a way to destress.  It's a great way for me to break away from my computer at night, try a new recipe and earn immediate satisfaction with a delicious finished product.  I came across this recipe while perusing the May Issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine and was immediately intrigued.  I've made endless cookie and brownie recipes, but very few cookie bar recipes over the years, so the thought of a chocolate coconut and toasted pecan cookie bar really caught my eye.  Martha Stewart's recipe for Cowboy Coconut Bars is an absolute MUST TRY!

Woodberry Kitchen

I attended a bridal shower in Baltimore this past month to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of a family member from my husband's side.  All of my husband's extended family drove to Baltimore for the shower which took place in the afternoon.  Since it isn't every day that we can get the entire family together, we all planned to go out for an early dinner before everyone headed home.  

I had heard about Woodberry Kitchen from my foodie friend at work, who raved about it and said it was a must try and boy was she right!  This restaurant is absolutely FABULOUS!!  Woodberry Kitchen focuses on supporting the local agriculture of the Chesapeake by creating a menu based on ingredients that are both seasonal and local to the area. In addition to the fabulous food, the ambiance is to die for!  The main dining room has massive vaulted ceilings with a rustic chic decor vibe throughout and the most picturesque outdoor garden area seating where I enjoyed the most delicious whiskey smash cocktail (pictured above).  And how could I forget to talk about dessert!?  I ordered the S'more Kit for one which was served in the most adorable packaging with a roasting skewer so that I could roast the homemade marshmallow (included in the kit) myself in their fire pit located on the back patio of the restaurant.  Talk about an experience!  If ever in Baltimore, a visit to Woodberry Kitchen need to be on your list!

Two Unique Ways to Make Oatmeal

I know that not everyone may feel that "breakfast is the most important meal of the day," but I absolutely adore breakfast.  I kid you not, I go to sleep excited to wake up and greet my day with a delicious cup of coffee paired with some scrumptious morning meal. 

There are so many options for breakfast, eggs, toast, omelets, waffles, etc… but for years I have been a loyal fan of good old fashioned oatmeal.  In my opinion nothing is more satisfying than a hot bowl of delicious oats topped with an array of nutritious seeds and other accoutrements.  The standard oatmeal prep is a great way to create a delicious and satisfying breakfast, but there are also many ways to think outside of the box when it comes to oatmeal prep.  For today's post I wanted to share two oatmeal recipes that I am currently loving.  Here are two takes on oatmeal that you really must try - one sweet and one savory, both are very healthy and packed with tons of flavor!

Savory Oatmeal Egg Bowl

Ingredients

• Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
• Toasted Flax Seeds
• 1-2 Eggs
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• Fresh Chopped Chives
• Smokey Spanish Paprika
• Avocado
• Salt and Pepper

Instructions

1. Cook 1/2c of Rolled Oats per the instructions detailed on the package (microwave or stovetop)
2. In a skillet, cook 1 - 2 eggs over easy
3. Transfer cooked oats to a breakfast bowl and mix in 1 Tbs of toasted flax seed, plus a dash of both salt and fresh cracked pepper
4. Sprinkle cheese on top of Oatmeal, then add egg(s) on top of cheese
5. Garnish with salt, pepper, smokey spanish paprika, freshly chopped chives and a few slices of avocado

**Adapted from this Martha Stewart Recipe

If you are looking for a sweeter oatmeal recipe that is healthy and can feed a crowd, this Oatmeal Souffle recipe from the Sprouted Kitchen is absolutely fabulous.  See below for more details:

Sprouted Kitchen's Oatmeal Souffle

For the complete recipe, click here

**Note- I used a deep soufflé dish instead of the shallow gratin dish used in the recipe.  If you opt to use a deeper dish like the one I used to make this recipe, you may need to add a few additional minutes to the cook time.  

Kitchen Knives 101: Everything You Need to Know

If you ask any professional chef what kitchen tools are most essential, kitchen cutlery will most likely rank at the top of their list.  Reason being?  There is so much in the world of cooking that can be accomplished with a good quality knife!  For today's post, I wanted to share my guide to kitchen knife 101 with you all.  I will run through the essentials for any knife block, my tips for basic knife care and a few of my personal favorite kitchen knives.  Kitchen knives are a huge part of cooking, so it's important to be empowered with the necessary information regarding the basics of kitchen cutlery to ensure that you are set up for culinary success!

Knife Block Essentials

• Paring Knives- knives with 3inch blades.  These knives give you the most flexibility for peeling, coring, cutting and shaping various fruits and vegetables.  I recommend having both serrated paring knife and straight paring knife.
• Chef's Knife- a large knife (either 6", 8" or 10" blade) known to be the most versatile.  Traditionally used for slicing firm vegetables, mincing garlic, crushing spices, etc.
• Slicing Knife- a blade that is at least 10" long and used to slice fruits very thin, as well as both raw and cooked meats. 
• Santoku Knives-  I recommend having both 5" and a 7" Santoku knife.  This style knife is thinner than a chefs knife, making it ideal for easily slicing those tougher vegetables and chopping produce with great precision.  
• Steak Knives- I recommend having at least 8 steak knives.  These knives are ideal for single use when cutting through tougher entree meats (such as beef or pork). 
• Serrated Knife (aka Bread Knife)- This knife has a long scalloped blade that slices easily and cleanly through hard crusts as well as tender crumbs.
• Honing Steel- this metal rod is used to realign or reset the knife blade after each use.  Note- a common misperception is that the honing rod is used for sharpening, when in fact it is not a sharpening tool.  
• Kitchen Shears- used for finely/precisely chopping herbs and even cutting up an entire chicken!  A good pair of kitchen shears is essential for any cutlery set.  

Caring for Your Kitchen Knives

• Always hand wash your kitchen knives (both blade and handle) after each use.  Never use the dishwasher to clean your knives as they tend to dull the blades and warp the knife handles. 
• Always dry your knives really well post wash and prior to storing.
• Have your knives sharpened a few times a year.
• Store your knives in either a knife block or drawer storage.  If knives bang into each other while being stored, the blades can become damaged. 

My Personal Favorites

• Shun Kanso Chef's Knife 8"- Attempting to chop up a butternut squash used to be a nightmare!  True story- I have actually broken knife blades in the process of dicing squash. It wasn't until this past summer, when I was introduced to the Shun Kanso Chef's Knife that I finally realized squash prep work didn't have to be that laborious.  This knife easily glides through even the toughest of vegetables and has made food prep an absolute pleasure!   
• Kyocera 4.5" Utility Blade Ceramic Knife - This knife has been featured in my August Kitchen Tools post and now again in this post because it really IS that fabulous!  Never in my life would I have thought that a knife would be able to slice tomatoes paper thin until I came across this knife.  When it comes to slicing soft produce with great precision, nothing beats this fabulous piece of cutlery.  
• Victorinox Serrated Paring Knife- This is another knife that has been featured as a kitchen tool of the month and for good reason!  It cuts like a dream, costs less than $10.00 and is the only knife I know of that can go in the dishwasher time after time without ever going dull!  

While this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to everything there is to know about kitchen cutlery, I feel that this post should provide you with a great knowledge base.  For those of you who might be looking to further your kitchen cutlery education, I highly recommend checking out these three resources:

• Williams Sonoma's Cutlery Buying Guide
• Sur La Table's "A Guide to Cutlery"
• Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook

Christmas Tablescape

We are officially in the home stretch of the Christmas Countdown (thank goodness)!  I don't know if you all feel the same way, but hosting back to back holidays has definitely contributed to my overwhelming feeling of fatigue.  Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love hosting and am so happy to have my family coming into town for both holidays.  However, what I think I have learned from this experience is that it takes a lot of work (and money) to host, and when you are working full time on top of all of this holiday prep, it can leave you feeling completely wiped out.  So maybe next year I might scale back a bit (of course I say this now...).   Ultimately, my point is that everyone who is hosting one or both holidays this season should be commended for taking on such an insanely tall order.  I know that I have certainly gained a profound appreciation for what it takes and I laud all of you who have decided to take on this task as well!

Okay, enough of my little self reflections. Onto my Christmas tablescape! This concept was actually inspired by a Martha Stewart Christmas table setting I had come across last year.  She had created a simple elegant tablescape using my wedding china pattern, white linens and red amaryllis flowers encircling tall white tapers.  It was STUNNING to say the least and I knew that it would be the inspiration for my future Christmas tablescape when the time came for me to host.  Plus, who doesn't love an opportunity to use their nice china??  Since there seem to only be a handful of occasions throughout the year where fancy china is appropriate for dinner, I like to take complete advantage of every opportunity!  Below are the details on what I used to create this festive table setting as well as what I plan on serving for dinner.  

Tablescape Details

• Dinner Plates: Bernardaud Constance 
• Napkins: CB2 Restaurant Napkins, Set of 4
• Napkin Rings: Sur La Table (*similar here)
• Place Cards: Caspari Berries & Bow Die Cut Place Cards 
• Wine Goblets: William Yeoward "Fanny"
• Water Glasses: Riedel Vinum Water Glass
• Champagne Flutes: William Yeoward "Fanny"
• Table Gifts: Hammonds Candy Ornaments 
• Candles: CB2 Tapers and CB2 Bronn Candle Holders
• Flowers: Trader Joe's Mixed Holiday Greens

My Christmas Dinner Menu

• Entree: Ina Garten's Filet of Beef Tenderloin
• Side Dish: Tyler Florence's Scalloped Potatoes Au Gratin
• Vegetable: Ina Garten's Roasted Asparagus
• Dessert: Ina Garten's Sticky Toffee Date Cake with Bourbon Glaze
• Specialty Cocktail: Martha Stewart's Classic Eggnog

This table is a relatively simple scape but I am in love with the way it has come together and totally thrilled to have this preparation task checked off of my to-do list!  While I am a little tired, I have to say that seeing these photos and thinking about sharing this holiday with my family has gotten me reinvigorated to keep going with the remaining preparations.  More holiday prep tips and ideas are coming to the blog on Wednesday, so stay tuned!

Tips for Making a Delicious Holiday Cheesescape

Tis the season….For attending and hosting holiday parties!!  Over the years I have hosted my fair share of holiday parties with an array of themes, menus and guest lists.  One common element from my parties over the years has been the inclusion of a holiday cheesescape.  It's a party food that is really easy to make and always a crowd pleaser.  Today I wanted to include a few tips/ideas for how to assemble a unique, delicious and festive cheesescape that your guests are sure to love!

Think Outside of the Box

In addition to my classic assortment of cheeses, I also like to include a cheese that has a homemade touch.  This recipe for Goat Cheese Bites from Martha Stewart is fabulous!  Really easy to make and I love that you can coat these bites in an array of flavors.  For this spread I have opted to use chopped fresh chives, but other great flavor ideas include chopped dried cranberries, pistachio pieces, fresh cracked pepper, etc.  For those of you who are curious, here is a list of the other cheese included in this scape: 

• Cypress Grove's Midnight Moon
• Cypress Grove's Truffle Tremor
• Vermont Creamery's Double Cream Cremont
• Uniekaas Yodeling Goat Gouda

Add a Little Luster

The holidays are all about sparkle and festive decor.  Opt for a cheeseboard that suits the yuletide season, like my metallic cheese board pictured in this post (similar here). 

Go Seasonal

Pomegranates and figs are in season right now, making them easy to find in most grocery stores.  Since these seasonal fruits pair beautifully with an array of cheeses, they make for perfect additions to any holiday cheesescape.  In addition, during the holidays certain food companies release limited edition flavors, like Virginia Chutney Company's Cranfiggy Chutney, which is absolutely fabulous and quite festive.  Capitalizing on the array of unique seasonal cheesescaping acoutrements during this time of year will really help you to create an outstanding finished product.  

Festive Color Scheme

Be mindful of the overall color story on your cheesescape.  Subtle touches of red (pomegranates, chutney, figs and even cured meats) and green (fresh chive encrusted goat cheese bites and an assortment of fresh herbs) can really help you to achieve that festive and delicious holiday cheesescape.  There are so many fabulous natural flavor options available in stores that can really help to bring a holiday-esque aesthetic to your cheesescape, so definitely keep this aspect in mind when assembling your board.